Guarino's

Reviews of Guarino's

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So reasonable, so fun, so good---A Home Run for our entire party

Retro cool but still very authentic---food was outstanding from the appetizers to the desert. All 6 people in our party had a great time and want to go back---Patio rocks---Sinatra band, piano bar, valet parking, and reasonable entrees make it hard to beat. Absolutely a new must do ----Thumbs up

Review by Arnie from Lyndhurst posted June 03, 2013

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Highly recommend

Surprised by the complaints. I've eaten in many Italian restaurants from New York City to Italy, and the food here is wonderful. Hands-on owner, fantastic ambiance, family-owned pride. Can't wait to go back!

Review by Rick from Medina posted March 31, 2013

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LACK OF SERVICE!!!

Traveled 45 minutes with my family to have lunch in Little Italy. We parked at Guarino's and went in to have lunch. We were served water and bread then proceded to wait for our waitress for over 10 minutes. We did not stay and went to another restaurant. Upon returning to our car, two adolescent girls asked for $5.00 for parking in their parking lot. I explained to them about lack of service and the reason why we left. They said if we didn't pay, we would have to talk to the owner. Instead of making a scene, we gave the girls $5.00. We will not return to this restaurant. There is no sign anywhere stating a $5.00 fee for parking.

Review by Dan from Medina posted July 25, 2012

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Forever love<3

Best food I ever had. I love it there I would recommend it. Had a great server her name was gretchen. Ask for her she was very friendly and helpful. She couldn't wait to answer all the questions we had to ask. One of the best servers we could ask for. My kids and I had a fantastic experience! Loved the environment and the best garden we have ever been in. I loved the fact they have there own parking lot.

Review by Liz from South Euclid posted June 11, 2012

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Going to Guarino's for 20 plus years

Was looking up Phone number, and came across reviews. I was shocked at some of the negative comments for Guarino's. My Family has been going there, for as long as I can remember,and I'll well over 50. We are "always very pleased" with our experience. The Owner's, always great us, and make us feel special. Have even seen pictures of the Grandkids. Have we ever had a Meal not quite right? "yes", but they have always made it right. We are going there tonight.
Chuck Netko N. Ridgeville, Oh.

Review by Chuck Netko from N. Ridgeville, OH posted April 28, 2012

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Charming...great place!

We found Guarinos to be a great place to dine! Took the family there after a trip to the museums and it was just right! The food was well prepared and presented, the staff was friendly and helpful, and the decor was just like home! We will make this a regular for our family or for "date nights"! And yes, the pesto sauce is to die for!

Review by jay from cleveland posted January 13, 2012

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Would not recommend, never returning

I like going to a restaurant and seeing the management mingle with the customers but Guarino's goes too far. About a month ago I was here with my wife and the owner came to our table and complained to us about how bad business is and about how her daughter (who works there too?) is lazy and incompetent. This is beyond unprofessional. Want to improve business? Get a new sign out front (we barely found you), don't hire the family to manage your restaurant, and don't air your business to strangers.

Review by Stan from Shaker Heights, Ohio posted December 28, 2011

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Great Find! Great Food!

Just like Momma's house! Laced tables, wall-art, and GREAT FOOD! The lasagna was tastey and plentiful and the service superb! My family enjoyed the entrees and we all shared the desserts. We recommend this restaurant for couples and families.

Review by Carl from Cleveland Heights posted December 20, 2011

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This needs a Gordon Ramsey makeover

we both had lasagne and it wasn't anything that we could of made at home.the bread was thin and something you could buy at the store.wine list was VERY limited.the patio was very nice.the best time was taking a walk up and down the street and seeing all the other restaurants........

Review by John from Akron posted October 13, 2011

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Worse than hospital food

This is the worst meal that I have ever had in my life. The veal was horrible, overcooked, frozen instead of fresh, and deep fried not sauteed. The sauce is garbage and the pasta is not fresh either. The bread is not homemade and I think the pizza was frozen totinos in the box. FAKE ITALIAN RESTAURANT. PLEASE DO NOT GO EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Review by Don Corleone from Cleveland posted September 12, 2011

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Not even close to a true taste of Italy

If you want good Italian cooking, don't go to Guarino's. We've traveled Italy since 1970 and we are Italians. We know what a properly prepared meal is and you won't get it at this restaurant. We made reservations 2 months in advance due to an expected larger attendance in Little Italy. When we got there, they didn't have our party of 4 booked. We got seated outside in a pleasant garden setting and ordered 2 dishes of calimari as a starter. The first dish came "stone cold" so we returned it. After another 15 minutes our second dish came out warm but not hot. Finally, the re-make of the first dish came hot. I ordered two 4 ounce lamb chops over risotto that came out as four 1 ounce chops which is half of what is listed on the menu. The risotto was merely white rice cooked in chicken broth. Not really risotto for those who know the difference. We also had two orders of seafood linguini which turned out to be 3 medium shrimp and fake "crab"...again, not what the menu listed as shrimp and crab. Crab is not pressed white fish with red food coloring!! The bread was perfectly thin-sliced "Italian" bread from a big box grocery. How original and un-Italian can you get.
The highlight of the evening was a young magician who made cards and red balls appear and an egg disappear. I wish he had made us reappear in another restaurant. We will never go back to this so-called Italian restaurant where they give real Italian food a bad name.

Review by still hungry from northwest PA posted June 26, 2011

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Not giving them up for Lent!

Enjoyed a wonderful dinner with my family which included some great dishes from the special "Lenten Menu". The special ravioli was incredible! Others dined on Tilapia, Scrod Picata, and Seafood Pasta and they all but licked the plates! If you get there be sure to try the Chocolate Cherry Cordial drink...OUTSTANDING! We will be going back on a Saturday next time to check out the Magician.

Review by Charlie from North Royalton posted March 11, 2011

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Not up my alley

I was surprised that the food tasted poorly. I had seen Guarino's from the outside for many years and thought I would take a chance. The food was poorly prepared. It did not look appetizing either.

Review by F. Gill from Cleveland posted January 02, 2011

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A-Plus Italian food

Tried two veal dishes, both mouth-watering. Yummy bread.
Some local Ohio wines, recommended by the nice young man who was our waiter, surprised me with their quality.
The food came quickly. This place as an old-fashioned but interesting interior with a pretty garden outside. It's a must-try when visiting Little Italy.

Review by Julie from Texas posted November 27, 2010

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mmmmm...mammamia!

The perfect ending to a great day was dinner at Guarino's this past Saturday night. Our table of 4 enjoyed calamari, pasta, eggplant, salads and veal (and, of course, Chianti). Part of the experience of Guarino's is walking back in time and enjoying the atmosphere at this unique Cleveland tradition. We enjoyed every bite. Our wait staff was excellent and made us feel completely at home.

Review by Maria from North Royalton posted October 25, 2010

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WHAT A GOOD FIND

We walked into Guarino's Patio on a saturday night with 6 people and no reservations ... lucky for us they were wonderful about it!! The garden is a very well kept secret, we have been to Little Italy a dozen times and never knew about it. The atmosphere was beautiful, the food was great, and our server kept up. A nice gentleman was going around making sure everyone was enjoying themselves. It was like being at home and not having to do any of the work. We all agreed we will be making reservations a lot at Guarinos. A must try !!!!

Review by stephanie from beachwood posted July 28, 2010

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Terrible food...

We went to Guarino's on April 3, 2010. The atmosphere is good at Guarino's, so we were expecting the food to be authentic and tasty. What a HUGE disappointment! We will never go back to this restaurant again. The bartender was rude, the lasanga and the veal parmesan tasted like a frozen dinners and the prosciutto wrapped shrimp appetizer was disgusting and cold. Actually, all of our food was cold when we got it. The only good thing was their house chianti. Everything else sucked...we will not be going back. You'd think they would have figured out how to cook a good Italian meal after being open for 90 YEARS!!

Review by Marie from Cleveland posted April 04, 2010

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Bellisimo!

The BEST veal saltimboca in Cleveland! They will also, at your request, make a linguini and escargot w/garlic and olive oil main dish that is simply outstanding! Service can be a bit slow but I don't go out to dinner to be rushed! Buon Appetito!

Review by Cecelia from Sheffield lake posted February 03, 2010

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Real Italy

If you really want an italian experience...Go here. The food is authentic and great. The coffee is outstanding. Good luck trying to pick a dessert, they all are outstanding. Get the eggplant manicotti!!

Review by Kev from Lagrange posted January 23, 2010

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Flavorless Italian with no service

The quality of the veal was sad, overcooked and dry. The chicken meal was unpleasant and we took it home because we were embarrassed to say how bad it was.
The service was basically arrogant and non-caring, yet we left without saying a word..... only to never return to this poor quality restaurant.

Review by Mike from Shaker Heights posted January 20, 2010

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Nice Dining Experience

Every time we visit Little Italy, we always stop at Gaurino's. Whether you dine inside or in the comfortable outside garden, I have found the food,
service and atmosphere to be very satisfying. I especially enjoy the steamed mussels in a garlic butter wine sauce with side of salad with their very tasty house dressing. The prices are reasonable for the quality of food and courteous service we have consisently received.

Review by Paul from Buffalo, NY posted June 23, 2009

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Wonderful Wonderful Experience.

I love this restaurant, the ambiance is wonderful every time I have dinner their I have a nice experience I dinners are all ways very good the service excellent , Don

Review by Ken from Lakewood posted May 12, 2009

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Great, cozy restaurant

My husband and I went to Guarino's last night and had a wonderful meal. He had the veal parmesean, which he said was the best he's ever had. I had the chicken scallopini with green & red peppers, mushrooms, and onions in a marsala wine sauce. It was very tasty. It came with a side of mini penne in marinar sauce. I believe this was the best marinara sauce I've ever tasted. The atmosphere is very cozy - doilies on each table, family pictures displayed near the entrance, a nicely decorated bar with fancy pillows and cushions. The meal was worth the price, and we would definitely come back.

Review by Anonymous from Fairview Park posted November 01, 2008

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I do not recommend

I go to Little Italy every few months and I never ate at Gaurino's, so I gave it a try--big mistake. I believe the hostess was really a man, which was kind of awkward. Then she/he sat us in the sun outside even though we requested to be in the shade--another waitress came along and said we could move. The bread was slices of bread straight from the grocery store. The salad dressing was terrible. The chicken in the chicken parmagian was great, but the pasta and sauce were terrible. They gave us cheese to put on the pasta, but the shaker was empty! Definitely the worst restaurant in Little Italy and one I will never go back to.

Review by nickz from Mentor posted August 21, 2008

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Wonderful Place

I can't believe that anyone would dislike Guarino's. Their food is wonderful and the atmosphere makes you feel like you're in Italy. It is one of my favorite restaurants and anyone who doesn't like the food must not have any taste buds.

Review by Anonymous from Northfield, Ohio posted March 29, 2008

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Perfect Valentines

My boyfriend and I went to Guarino's recently on Valentines Day. Although we made reservations, we still ending up waiting about 10 minutes before we got to sit down in this cozy restaurant. The general atmosphere at Guarino's was fabulous! They had the place decorated nicely for valentines, each table had heart shaped doilies and candles lit. It gave off a very comfortable, home-like feel. But ladies, take note, the bathroom is a TINY ill-lit hole in the wall. The servers were beyond kind, since we had the reservations in our name, our waitress called us by our first names the entire evening. I ordered gnocci and my boyfriend ordered lobster ravoli. Both were wonderful and it came with bread and a (small) house salad - with homemade dressing - delicious! When our food arrived it was slightly cold and the service was not too prompt but we still loved it. Upon leaving the restaurant, the owner gave me a red carnation with a coupon for a free appetizer for our next visit because it was valentines day. It was the most enjoyable experience.

Review by Linda from Cleveland posted February 18, 2008

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A True Taste of Little Italy

My girlfriends and I had the best time and the best authentic Italian cuisine at Guarino's Restaurant. The menu provided a wide variety of salads, sandwiches, and pasta dishes to satisfy every appetite. They even have a "Create your own" section - which we loved!!! The atmosphere was romantic. The service was outstanding and friendly. I cannot wait to return!

Review by Michelle from Cleveland posted August 07, 2007

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Bland food+bad service =never going back

The only good thing about this place is the private parking lot they have, but for that perk they serve bland food and if you are lucky you will get our waitress, who seemed to want to be anywhere else (that should have been our clue to leave).
Want fresh italian bakery bread with your meal? well, you won't get it here. You'll get a few slices of sandwich bread with foil wrapped butter pats - like at Denny's. Apparently they have only one type of salad dressing, since they plop down a small plate of greens with some kind of orange goo poured on top.
You will also get to pay $7.00 for a glass of "box" wine. I don't know how this place stays in business, I can't imagine that they have a lot of repeat business, probably more like tourists who don't want to have to search for a parking spot.
Dinner for two, over $50.00 with tip.
Try Trattoria just a few doors down - they have their own parking lot and the food is better at reasonable prices.

Review by kcj from Cleveland posted March 21, 2007

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Stab in the dark

If you want to see what you are ordering or eating, forget about Guarinos. They would not even reseat us closer to a light when we requested. They got our orders wrong and there were only four of us. Food was bland and unappetizing. Bypass this place and continue down the hill for better choices.

Review by Suzi from Solon posted August 25, 2005

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